atlantic city, new jersey, is virtually shut down in anticipation of a direct hit. >> i'm really, really worried because they just told a friend of mine they think it's going to hit the bay. the bay and the ocean will come together. >> reporter: utility workers are standing by to reap pair, expected massive, widespread power outages. >> it may take a long time not only to clear but also to get, for example, the power companies back in. >> reporter: sandy is wreaking havoc here in ocean city, maryland. the heavy rain and wind has forced the maryland governor to cancel early voting scheduled for today. back to you, rob, paula. >> tahman, try to stay dry out there. our extreme weather team, of course, has been working through the night to pinpoint sandy's expected path. >> accuweather.com meteorologist jim dickey is joining us this morning with the very latest. good morning, jim. >> reporter: good morning, rob and paula. well, again, this is a massive storm system. looking at the infrared satellite imagery here, cloud stretches from quebec, ontario, coast of carolina. the storm expected to